Michael Paradise, MBA '00, and Craig Bednarovsky, CAS/BA '91, have a simple desire. They want to see employees in the position that best suits them. They want to see employers have the most efficient workforce possible. And they want to facilitate that through their company, Sysazzle.

Named one of the 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies of 2013 by Inc. Magazine, Sysazzle is a national recruiting and staffing company specializing in the healthcare and IT industries. But Sysazzle is about more than just "putting butts in seats," according to Paradise. The company's number one priority is to focus on customer service.

"Our job is really to help our clients understand what needs they have and to find them the right people to fulfill those needs," he said.

Paradise founded the company in 2008 and currently serves as CEO. He brought Bednarovsky, a childhood friend, on board as COO in 2013.

The key to making the right placement, according to the pair, is in the underlying mission of all parties involved.

"We put a lot of thought into making sure both sides are working towards the same goal," Paradise said. "If an employee doesn't feel a connection to the final product then they're not going to be willing to put in the time to get it off the ground."

By putting this extra focus on finding the right fit, Sysazzle has become a trusted partner of both corporate clients and potential candidates, according to Bednarovsky.

"We're up front and honest, especially when it doesn't look like everyone is on the same page," he said. "That's the only way to foster any relationship and when it comes down to it, that's what [recruiting] is all about."

Going Home Again

Beyond Sysazzle's corporate commitments as a recruiting company, Paradise and Bednarovsky are committed to improving lives in their shared hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"When we were looking at places facing harsh economic challenges and in need of some employment help, we didn't have to look far from home," Bednarovsky said.

Beyond working directly with companies looking to hire, Sysazzle is offering consulting advice, free of charge, to people looking for a job. From tips for improving a résumé to determining skill sets for career transition, Paradise and Bednarovsky are using their expertise to help others.

"Our goal is to be helpful, that's it," Bednarovsky said. "If more people took the time to just answer questions when they could the impact would be huge and the world would be a different place."